Pahalgam Attack: NIA Court Extends Custody of Accused by 45 Days

New Delhi, Sept 19: A special NIA court in Jammu has granted investigators an additional 45 days to keep Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad in custody in connection with the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, extending their remand beyond the usual 90-day period.

The accused, arrested in June, are alleged to have sheltered Pakistani militants from Lashkar-e-Taiba in a seasonal hut in Hill Park, Pahalgam, prior to the attack that killed 26 tourists and injured 16 others.

Special Judge Sandeep Gandotra approved the extension, citing pending forensic tests, DNA profiling, and mobile phone analysis linked to Pakistani numbers. The court noted that the case is at a crucial stage, with witness accounts, forensic reports, and DNA comparisons still awaited.

Public prosecutor Chandan Kumar Singh told the court that evidence from the slain attackers, including arms, ammunition, blankets, and shawls, has been sent for forensic testing, and the results are pending. The NIA has re-registered the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to continue its probe.

The original 90-day remand, plus 10 days of judicial custody, was set to expire on Friday. The accused were presented virtually before the court, which described the NIA’s plea as “well-founded” and necessary to complete the investigation promptly. (Agencies)